We’re offering our inexpert advice in all things automotive.

We might discuss your question on our podcast. Yes, this means that we’ve run out of ideas for episodes and are too lazy to do research.

Edit: Thanks for the questions everyone. We didn’t have time to answer all of them on the show but I’ll try to answer all of them on here. The episode probably won’t be out for over a month since we’ve got a backlog of editing to do.

  • trabpukcip [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    6·
    8 months ago

    Why is adding power to a car terribly expensive? I want 200whp in my Miata, but that’s $8k away ($5k turbo kit, $2k installation, $1k for clutch and cooling system upgrades installed diy). It’s so slow

    • BoxedFenders [any, comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
      3·
      8 months ago

      Adding power to a naturally aspirated engine will always be expensive. If you want cheap tuning you’ll have to start with a turbocharged car. A GTI can gain 70+ hp with just a $500 software flash. For what it’s worth though, I’ve had way more fun on track with a slow Miata than a 300 hp GTI because lightness is more desirable than power.

    • Palacegalleryratio [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
      3·
      8 months ago

      Miatas aren’t slow. I mean they are, but you shouldn’t be trying to drag race them, that’s not the point. They’re a copy of the classic British type sports car, made for driving on britains b-roads and country lanes. This pedigree shows, on narrow twisty roads miatas come alive, they don’t feel at all slow then.

      Also driving a slow car fast >> driving a fast car slowly.

    • CarsAndComrades [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      I used to have a Miata and was planning to put a turbo on it, but that started looking like too much of a hassle so instead I bought a WRX.

      That said, there’s lots of good information on https://www.miataturbo.net/ if you want to go the cheaper DIY route instead of a kit, and I still have a MegaSquirt ECU that I could sell you for a couple hundred bucks. An if you can install a radiator or a clutch, you can probably install a turbo yourself.

      • trabpukcip [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
        2·
        7 months ago

        I keep coming back to diy for install, ultimately. Can’t diy the whole kit cuz I would need to emissions test it, so I’d need the fuel cards instead of real fuel management. Still looking like $6k if I do all labor myself, and it’s just a too rich for my blood. Guess I’ll be slow and reliable

        • CarsAndComrades [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
          2·
          7 months ago

          Not sure what you mean by fuel cards but if it’s pre-OBD2 (1995) you should be able to pass the tailpipe emissions test with a Megasquirt ECU or similar. There’s also piggyback systems that work with the stock ECU if the emissions test requires that.

            • CarsAndComrades [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
              2·
              7 months ago

              You might be able to find a used Flyin’ Miata Voodoo Box but they don’t make them anymore. I don’t know of any other piggyback systems made specifically for a Miata.

              Sometimes you can find a deal on good used turbo stuff but it’s a crapshoot.

              You could also get a plug-and-play ECU like Megasquirt and swap everything back to stock for the emissions test. Or at least swap in the stock ECU and injectors and wire the wastegate open so it doesn’t make boost.